News Archive

Ireland in Song and Story, a program of traditional Irish songs and story-telling, will be presented on Thursday March 15, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, at the VFW hall in St Johns. The featured presenter is Father Eoin Murphy, priest at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Johns. Additionally, The Mint City Singers will entertain with a few traditional songs. Admission is just $10 for adults, $5 for children, and a special family rate of $25. Cash or checks will be accepted at the door; unfortunately, no credit cards can be accepted.

As was advertised a while ago, the local community had a opportunity to watch, listen and enjoy Father Eoin Murphy sing and tell tales of Ireland in true Irish flavor. Without any back up music, the good Father delighted the audience with Irish music and descriptions of Ireland. The room of the St. Johns Veteran hall was filled with warmth that perhaps only the Irish can rouse (this reporter is Irish but that would not color the report even a bit). At one point as Father Eion was about to change his tone, the Mint Community Singers shared their ever growing skills at singing.

There are so many changes taking place behind the scenes that it is confusing and delightful for all. The depot is owned and operated by the City of St. Johns. On a monthly basis CNR rents the depot. At the same time the city has given us space on a relatively free basis. We can maintain the old luggage room, which is the 2nd largest rooms in the depot, for the Jerry Banks RR layout, THE FOUR SEASONS.

The city has stepped up and made some significant changes to depot operations. They have invested time and money in getting the inside to look brighter and more useful. While CNR has lost one train layout, there are now new large round brown tables and chairs to match so that the setting is more appealing for meetings. The station masters office is now protected by a "glass wall" and the gift store is where the depot office was. That makes it more accessible for customers to fondle the merchandise which only increases sales.

Meaning that the CNR (St. Johns Depot) depot is open on Sundays through this month (One to Three PM). The depot was closed on the Sundays as the managers were off to tend to their daughter in Louisville. They have returned and had the depot open this first Sunday of August and intend to have it open through the rest of the month, unless... Well things happen and it will be interesting to see what occurs in these busy days of a hot summer.

So much has happen since the last article. Each Sunday has brought new adventures. While the crowds have been small the visitors have been extraordinarily interesting. They brought questions, they brought answers and new stories. Just the other day, while Gary was putting a "Volunteers Needed" banner a couple came wondering through. Being from out of town, Illinois, and having stopped by the downtown antique store, they thought would stopped by the depot. Both have been very involved in trains for years.

Well, Jenny and Gary arrived at the depot about a half hour early, just to get some things set up, but right away people started showing up and it stayed that way until almost 2:30. Jenny was busy showing off the depot, Gary out with the Jerry Banks layout or in the cars teaching and learning. The standbys, Bret, John, Dominic, Garret and escorts were there to attend to the tracks and repairs.

Just in time for the holidays, a grand make-over was given to the south side and ends of the 1903 RPO, thanks to wonderful support from Joel Haviland of J.H. Builders, Josh Redman of Redman Construction and the Volunteer Railroad Crew members.

Hey Kids, letters can be mailed to Santa through the mail slot on the Railroad Post Office (RPO). A staircase has been put in place leading up to the mail slot on the side of the RPO, which is the long green rail car that sits near the St. Johns Depot. Children can mail their letters any time before Christmas, and no postage is necessary since these letters will travel by North Pole Express.

Get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day by enjoying an evening of entertainment featuring Fr. Eoin Murphy, back from Ireland on a return visit to St Johns. He has graciously agreed to spend an evening one more time, sharing his beautiful voice and amusing anecdotes with a bit of Irish blarney thrown in for good measure. The Mint City Singers will be show-casing their talents with a number of selections to round out the program.